Has Rick Ross become 50 Cent?

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

By 2008, it was clear Rick Ross was more than a one hit wonder, but he was on a collision course with 50 Cent. In the months prior, 50 Cent had dissed Lil Wayne and DJ Khaled. His own G-Unit movement was losing its fan base rapidly and the movement led by DJ Khaled was taking over.

DJ Khaled's We The Best movement was not yet a record label, just an assembly of artists. Lil Wayne and Plies were clearly the more popular artists from the group. Rick Ross, at the time, was more of a background figure. However, he had plans of changing the landscape.

The year of 2008 was eventually dominated by Lil Wayne and T.I., but Rick Ross had 2009. 50 Cent was also working on a comeback album and sending more disses towards artists affiliated with DJ Khaled. Early in 2009, Rick Ross released "Mafia Music," which contained a 50 Cent diss, poking fun at his baby mama drama.

The first half of 2009 consisted of Rick Ross and 50 Cent trading disses. 50 Cent, who was having issues with his record label, Interscope Records, boasted of how he would soon take over Def Jam. Once he took over the label, 50 Cent said he would block all moves made by Rick Ross and DJ Khaled. During this period of time, Rick Ross' name was in the headlines every day. Ross used this to his advantage, introducing his group, Triple C's, to the world and his Maybach Music Group.

50 Cent claimed victory in the feud, as did Rick Ross. At the end of the day, Rick Ross won, as his singles gained increasingly more radio play. By 2010, Rick Ross had become the biggest, active rapper in the South, prompting many hip hop publications to ask if Ross had become the "King of the South." One thing was clear, though, Rick Ross was a force to be reckoned with. His summer anthem, "B.M.F.," with Styles P, had taken over urban radio and Ross was on to better things.

Rick Ross promised he would be all over all forms of the media, in 2011, and he has lived up to the promise, with his God Forgives, I Don't album coming right before Christmas 2011. While he does not release diss records, Rick Ross is involved in a beef with Young Jeezy. Rick Ross usually releases a new album every year. Before Rick Ross landed on Def Jam, Young Jeezy did this. Now, Young Jeezy cannot even land a secure release date without something happening.

During a recent interview, Rick Ross was asked if he was behind this and he acted as if he was. When he was feuding with 50 Cent, Rick Ross was against his bullying tactics. During 50 Cent's feud with D-Block, who happened to be his Interscope label-mates, 50 was behind their album delays. Two years after he conquered the giant, has Rick Ross become the monster he set out to destroy?

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J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League talks Rick Ross' "God Forgives, I Don't"

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

When he first arrived in the game, Rick Ross declared he was the boss. While his music was popular, in the South, many argued Ross was not even the biggest figure in Miami. Trick Daddy still held the title, but not for much longer. Rick Ross established his position in the game with 2008's Trilla.

In 2009, Rick Ross made a gutsy move when he dissed 50 Cent, the bully of the hip hop game. 50 Cent was primarily known, in the beef arena, for ending Ja Rule's career. When 50 Cent began dissing Ja Rule, he was the biggest rapper in the game. Rick Ross still went at 50 Cent and ended up winning the beef.

Two years later, Rick Ross is now seen as the boss of the rap game, getting just as much radio play as Lil Wayne. Last year, Ross had a number of hits. His most-known was "B.M.F.," last summer, which sparked a beef with Young Jeezy. The J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, who produced his Drake-assisted crossover hit, "Aston Martin Music," are producing for this album.

The duo discussed Rick Ross' God Forgives, I Don't album, saying many feel as if Rick Ross has already reached his peak. For those who think they have figured out Rick Ross' overall sound and style, the production duo said Rick Ross is just getting started. After this, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League says artists in the game will be chasing them for the new Rick Ross sound.

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Can Rick Ross ascend to true "Boss" status?

By Hardcore Critic
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

If confidence could translate into record sales, Rick Ross would have broken Thriller's record on his first mixtape. Rick Ross released his debut album, in 2006, and boldly called himself the boss. His Trilla album featured his breakout single, "The Boss."

Over a short period of time, Rick Ross has risen to become one of the biggest names in rap. In 2011, Rick Ross has been the most-popular rapper, without even releasing any music of his own. His collaborations have been enough to keep him out there.

Rick Ross had a similarly dominating year, last year. His album of the year, Teflon Don, only went gold, but his two singles, "B.M.F." and "Aston Martin Music," were immensely popular. This year, when Ross releases God Forgives, I Don't, he said he will officially take over the game.

On the collaborative side of things, Rick Ross has already replaced Lil Wayne. But, his own solo work has yet to match his popularity, sales-wise. Last year, Rick Ross boldly predicted Teflon Don would break the 10 million mark in sales. This year, Rick Ross is not predicting sales, but he promised his new album would turn him into hip hop's go-to guy.

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Freddie Gibbs explains Rick Ross beef

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

For a little over a year, Rick Ross and Young Jeezy have been engaged in a feud. Last year, Ross took over the game with his "B.M.F." single. Young Jeezy recorded a remix to the song that offended Rick Ross and led to their feud.

Young Jeezy's newest signee, Freddie Gibbs, quickly joined his boss in the feud. However, Freddie Gibbs' diss has been taken out of context. Gibbs has called Ross out over his style several times.

Due to Ross' stature in the game, there have been plenty of questions about Freddie Gibbs' beef with Rick Ross. Gibbs said it is not like he has made this feud personal. On a personal level, Freddie Gibbs has no issues with him, but he does not like the 'Rick Ross persona.'

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Audra the Rapper talks Maybach Music deal

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Before Maybach Music became as big of a deal as it currently is today, Audra the Rapper was associated with Rick Ross. During the summer of 2009, Audra met Ross at a radio station. While at the station, Ross gave Audra his Twitter information and the two had some communication.

However, a few months passed before Audra the Rapper even heard from Rick Ross again. During the time away, Audra had put together her mixtape, The Miseducation of Audra. On the mixtape, she released her own version of Ross' hit, "B.M.F." Upon hearing the remix, Rick Ross called her and showed his support.

In the time since then, Rick Ross has signed several artists to his still-growing Maybach Music label. Ross has also inked a long-term distrubution deal with Warner Bros. Records. Audra the Rapper reflected on her partnership with Maybach Music and she feels she happened to be at the right place at the right time, nothing more, nothing less.

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